Facebook “Must Have”: Your Official Page
By Jillian | July 30, 2011
Recently I’ve been talking about how to design the overall social media strategy for your Internet Cash Machine. An effective social media strategy will incorporate your blog, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and possibly LinkedIn and the newest player on the field, Google+. Today, let’s talk about Facebook, which must still be considered the centerpiece of your social media marketing strategy.
Here are a few reasons why, collected from a March 2011 post by social media blogger Ken Burbary (original figures gathered from Facebook.com and Pingdom.com):
- Average Facebook user has 130 friends on the site.
- Average user sends 8 friend requests per month.
- Average user spends an average 15 hours, 33 minutes on Facebook per month.
- Average user visits the site 40 times per month.
- Average user spends 23 minutes (23:20 to be precise) on each visit.
- Average user is connected to 80 community pages, groups and events.
- Average user creates 90 pieces of content each month.
- 200 million people access Facebook via a mobile device each day.
- More than 30 billion pieces of content are shared each day.
- Users that access Facebook on mobile devices are twice as active on Facebook compared to non-mobile users.
- Facebook generates a staggering 770 billion page views per month.
Whether or not you have a personal Facebook page, your business definitely needs an Official page. Official Facebook pages used to be referred to as “fan” pages. When you establish yours, you can do it one of two ways: 1) convert your existing personal page (see the previous discussion) to an Official page, or 2) Set up a new Official page.
First, you must select your page name, or what Facebook calls your “Vanity URL.” Then, to get started, log in or create a new account. Then go to:
www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
This will take you a page to icons for each of the following types of Official pages:
- Local business or place
- Company, organization or institution
- Brand or product
- Artist, band or public figure
- Entertainment
- Cause or community.
Make your selection, and Facebook will walk you through the process.
Once your page is set up, you can ask people to visit and “Like” it. When you have your first 25 “Likes,” you can claim your page name on a permanent basis.
In my next post, I’ll discuss important components such as your page graphic, the use of I-Frames, the “Reveal” tab, and video.
Don’t forget I am once again accepting clients in my 8-Week Internet Marketing Incubator personal mentoring program. Get all the information here:
InternetCashMachine.com/mentor.htm
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.yourinternetcashmachine.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://www.yourinternetcashmachine.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Google]](http://www.yourinternetcashmachine.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[LinkedIn]](http://www.yourinternetcashmachine.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/linkedin.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://www.yourinternetcashmachine.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Windows Live]](http://www.yourinternetcashmachine.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/windowslive.png)
![[Yahoo!]](http://www.yourinternetcashmachine.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.png)
![[Email]](http://www.yourinternetcashmachine.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
Topics: Facebook, See All Posts Here, Social Media Marketing | No Comments »
What’s Your Facebook Status?
By Jillian | July 26, 2011
If you’re one of the almost 1 billion people on the planet who are using Facebook, you’ve already discovered its amazing power to connect people. I’ve personally found (or been found by) old friends, former school mates, and distant family members from all over the world. Earlier this year I reconnected with a foster son we loved and hadn’t seen in many years. It’s been wonderful to share news with him, talk on the phone, and to learn that he now has a happy family and children of his own.
I imagine Facebook as a collection of relatively small, overlapping communities, and I expect there are vast differences in the culture of these communities. The people with whom I’ve connected are, by and large, spiritually and socially aware, multicultural, intelligent and creative. They are interested in business, travel, health, books, music, and movies. They love their families and value their friendships. If they have strong political or religious beliefs, they’re low-key about it, and tolerant of other points of view. They are kind, and often very funny.
One of the things I value most is the support given and received on Facebook. A couple of weeks ago, Michael, my hairdresser, mentioned how thoughtful and caring his Facebook community had been after the recent death of his beloved father-in-law. I chat every day or two with people who fascinate, educate and inspire me.
Recently several Facebook friends came into town for a conference, and we transitioned from “virtual” to “real world” friendship, sharing meals and touring around Austin. There are several other people with whom I’m planning meetings soon.
Whether or not you enjoy using Facebook in your personal life, it is an invaluable tool for your business. The basic personal Facebook page allows you to have up to 5,000 Facebook friends. Most of us who’ve been on the site for a while have accumulated both personal and business friends, and of course, there is often an overlap.
Lately I’ve participated in a number of discussions among people trying to decide a strategy for moving forward from just the personal page, and it’s complicated. You don’t want to hurt the feelings of potential business contacts after you’ve made them part of your personal circle, but obviously you can’t maintain meaningful personal relationships with 5,000 people. In fact, Facebook software selects which posts and comments you see, based on your previous interactions, so there are many friends whose updates never reach your wall.
Facebook also allows what used to be commonly called “fan” pages. These are business oriented pages, and they can be designated according to category:
- Local business or place
- Company, organization or institution
- Brand or product
- Artist, band or public figure
- Entertainment
- Cause or community.
One solution Facebook offers is to convert your personal page into an Official page. You can then create a new page for family and close friends. The problem there is that you have to rebuild your entire network. Some of the people with whom you want to maintain contact may now have reached their friend limit, and you can no longer connect. On an Official page, you share and your followers read and comment, so you will not have access there to anyone’s personal updates.
I recommend you go ahead and set up an Official page for your business, even if you already have a personal Facebook page. I’ll tell you everything you need to know to do that, right here, this week.
Meanwhile, if you are ready to stop dreaming, and start your own Internet business, or if you have already begun but want to achieve real success, I’m here to help. My 8-Week Internet Marketing Incubator personal mentoring program starts soon. Check it out here:
InternetCashMachine.com/mentor.htm
Topics: Facebook, See All Posts Here, Social Media Marketing | No Comments »
Free Software for Facebook Fan Pages
By Jillian | June 25, 2011
Today I’m beginning a series of new posts on best practices for using Facebook, Twitter, blogs and Linked In.
If you’re active in Internet marketing, you definitely need a Facebook Fan Page. You may have heard that Facebook has discontinued the old FTML, its proprietary language coders previously had to use to create the fan pages. Instead, Facebook has adopted a new technology, called I-Frames. I-Frames essentially allow you to create a webpage, put it into the I-Frame, and display that on your fan page.
Since the change, a number of software developers have come out with products designed to make the process easy. One of them, David Foster, is focusing on building his own Facebook Fan Page by offering a 100% discount on his product, I-Frame Engine. You can read about it here:
blog.hubze.com/2011/100-off-iframeengine-basic-discount-code/
Let me be clear, I haven’t yet used the product (and of course, since it’s being offered free, I receive no commission). But both David and the product have built a good reputation, and I’m taking advantage of this myself.
I’d appreciate your feedback on your own experience using I-Frame Engine. Just leave me a comment, and I’ll share it with other readers.
Topics: Facebook, See All Posts Here, Social Media Marketing | No Comments »
Sales Tax Online – What Does it Mean for Affiliate Marketers?
By Jillian | April 1, 2011
As you may know, there’s been a movement among state governments to force Internet retailers to charge sales tax for online purchases. It’s certainly understandable; the states are all hurting for money, and as more of us shop online, the potential sales tax a state could collect is growing rapidly.
Amazon.com – the behemoth of online retailers – is leading the fight against the states. Thus far, Amazon has been protected by a 1992 Supreme Court ruling (Quill Corporation v. North Dakota) that prohibits a state from forcing a business to collect sales tax unless it has physical stores in the state. A physical store provides a nexus, or connection, between the retailer and the state.
Recently, however, states have taken note of the role of Affiliate Marketers in referring business to Amazon and others, and are claiming that having active affiliates in a state provides that nexus. Amazon is retaliating by withdrawing its business from affiliates in states that have passed such laws (with the exception of New York, where affiliate relationships remain in place as Amazon tests the constitutionality of the law through state courts).
Earlier this week I testified in front of the Texas State House Ways and Means Committee against a bill that seeks to demonstrate a nexus through affiliate marketers. As it happens, that bill was introduced by Representative Elliot Naishtat, whom I respect and have known for over 25 years. This is the first time I can remember we’ve been on opposite sides of an issue.
Elliot wrote the bill for two reasons: the Texas budget is being cut to the bone (teachers are being cut, along with mental health services and a host of other important programs, and Texas is already 49th in the nation in terms of services), and he’s concerned about equitable treatment of local merchants. If a local retailer has to pay sales tax, why shouldn’t an online retailer?
These are important questions, and broad ones. It’s likely they will ultimately be resolved at the national level. In the meantime, however, it’s vital that we protect affiliate marketers from becoming collateral damage in this fight. As I told the committee, most affiliate marketers are not huge players. They are small business men and women who depend on their affiliate marketing sales to keep food on the table and a roof over their head.
I’m happy to support local businesses. We only have to look at Detroit to see what happens when a city loses its local tax base. But the world is changing. Online buying represents a cultural shift, and the genie is not going back in the bottle. If local retailers are going to compete, they have to come to terms with that reality, and figure out how to adapt.
Here’s a link to an article on the committee hearings, including my testimony and others:
I’d really like to hear your opinions.
Topics: IM Business Issues, See All Posts Here | No Comments »
What Marlon Learned from Cory
By Jillian | May 13, 2010
When I first became interested in Internet business, I had a couple of great mentors whom I knew personally. You’ve probably heard me talk about them.
I also had a long-distance mentor. His name was Cory Rudl, and he was a marketing genius who became a multi-millionaire in his twenties. He broke ground for the rest of us. I tried to get my hands on everything he wrote. Unfortunately, he died tragically at a very young age, and I never had the opportunity to meet him.
Marlon Sanders, one of the most successful Internet marketers around, started as a contemporary of Cory. Through Cory, he learned the secrets that have been the bedrock of his 7-figure business.
Marlon, who’s an incredible teacher and interpreter of information, distilled what he learned into what he calls “The Amazing Formula.” He’s taught the formula at seminars all over the world. It has even been featured in the Mensa online catalog (Mensa is the organization for geniuses).
In the interests of full disclosure, I’m an affiliate for Marlon, and I receive a commission on any products of his that you buy through my link. As always, however, I only share with you products I consider to be excellent.
Click Here to check out The Amazing Formula for yourself.
It could open the door to your own Internet Cash Machine.
Topics: Affiliate Marketing, IM Thought Leaders, See All Posts Here | No Comments »
Joe Vitale’s “Marketing Mind,” and Some Lessons for the Rest of Us
By Jillian | March 25, 2010
My friend Joe Vitale is a car freak. He loves collecting them, and he has a building full of wonderful, one-of-a-kind automobiles. Some time ago, he was in San Diego, and he fell in love with a gorgeous Rolls Royce. It was a major investment, but you know how it is when you’re in love…
Here’s the difference between Joe and most other other people. He has a marketing mind. So he and a few friends began brainstorming. How could he use the Rolls creatively, and turn a huge expense into a profit center? Furthermore, since Joe is genuinely about supporting other people, how could he throw his desire to be of service into the mix?
The outcome was the “Rolls Royce Mastermind.” It’s not for everyone, but it’s a ton of fun for those who can afford it. For a nice chunk of cash, you can spend the afternoon with Joe and one of his marketing expert friends. Joe will drive you around the hill country of Texas, and he’ll even take you to his favorite restaurant for a great meal. All the attention will be focused on you, and generating powerful, creative ideas for your business.
Genius, right?
How does this apply to rest of us? First, it’s an invitation to look at everything in life with a marketing point of view. True entrepreneurs see opportunities in every situation. After all, our customers are very much like us. Our lives are reflections of each other.
As you deal with issues in your life and learn important lessons, be assured your lessons will have real benefit for your customers. Write a report, or create a product to share what you’ve learned. Are your customers in fear about the current economic situation? Create a product to give them tools to deal with their challenges. But don’t forget there is a lot of money out there in the world. We’re still a wealthy country, and people in higher income brackets are also looking for what you have to offer. Create buying opportunities with genuine value for them.
Second, use the mastermind principle. Tap into the collective energy of other smart people. Brainstorm with friends in similar businesses. Find a mentor you trust, someone who’s walked ahead of you on the path.
Have a look at my Internet Incubator 8-Week Personal Mentoring Program, and see if that may be right for you:
www.YourInternetCashMachine.com/mentor.htm
And check out the photo at the top of this blog. Joe and I and his love, Nerissa, had just returned from lunch. He drove us in the Rolls, which is pretty darn impressive. I told Joe I hadn’t ridden in one since I was a kid, and I’d forgotten how wonderful it is. It’s huge inside, and it moves with the grace and dignity of a giant cruise ship on smooth seas. Best of all, it’s paying its own way in the world!
Topics: IM Thought Leaders, See All Posts Here | No Comments »
Happy Holidays!
By Jillian | December 24, 2009
I’ve been absent from this blog for a while, nursing an injured knee. But I’m much better now, and looking forward to bringing you lots of new and useful information in the weeks and months to come. Thanks for your patience, and be sure to keep an eye out for next week’s post.
Meanwhile, please take a moment to enjoy “Three Gifts for the Holiday”:
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, or as many of my friends do, some combination thereof, I hope you’re having a holiday season filled with peace, joy and abundance.
Happy holidays!
Topics: Personal, See All Posts Here | No Comments »
Get more traffic to your website…
By Jillian | August 4, 2009
Recently I interviewed my friend, Ross Goldberg, who has created a new software tool that can totally amp up your efforts at getting traffic to your site.
Take a few minutes and listen in.
Topics: See All Posts Here | No Comments »
Create Your Own Social Network (and It’s Free)
By Jillian | July 10, 2009
Facebook and MySpace are a great place to connect with other people, whether you’re a college student, a mom, a person building your career, or a business owner. But both Facebook and MySpace have limits.
What if you could create your own social network? Actually, there’s a great site where you can do just that.
It’s Ning.com. On Ning, you can set up your own social network, completely free. You choose from over 50 different themes, and if you want, you can even control the CSS and add third party applications. This allows you to completely customize both appearances and function.
Ning offers a latest activity feature, member profile pages, friends, messaging, and of course, you can add videos, photos, chat, music, events, and blogs. You control who has access to your site, and have the option to approve members, if you desire.
Right now over 1 million people have already set up their own social networking sites on Ning, and 27 million have signed on. It’s a good place to search for interest groups and find compatible people.
Of course, Ning would be great for setting up a “get-together” site for your extended family, or a “keep in touch” site for old classmates. But I’m particularly interested in the business possibilities. With Ning, you can create a real 2.0 site where your readers can go and see your latest offers, watch your videos, and communicate directly with you and each other.
All this is free, but for a less than $5/month, you can publish your Ning site under your own domain name, and for an additional fee, you can add other features, such as setting up your own advertising revenue stream.
My friend, Mark Hendricks (a kickass Internet marketer and contributor to Your Internet Cash Machine), recently set up on Ning, and that’s how I got interested. In fact, on his site, Mark has included a resource for finding JV partners: http://ississ.ning.com/group/jointventuregroup. It’s new, but with Mark’s many readers, it’s likely to grow quickly, so I encourage you to check it out.
You can learn more, and browse around the existing networks, at www.Ning.com. Let me know if you find anything interesting!
Topics: See All Posts Here | No Comments »
Here’s what I appreciate…
By Jillian | June 9, 2009
What do you appreciate most in life?
Every day I spend a few minutes listing all the things for which I’m grateful. Frequently, the things on my list of the day are a direct result of the kind of work I do.
For example, I come and go as I please. I don’t know if that seems big to you, but for me, it’s huge. When I worked in an office, I always felt as though I was in jail – surrounded by four walls, and unable to walk away at will. Trapped.
Nowadays when I’m ready to get away from my computer, I simply walk out to my car and head over to the lake, or the art museum, or my favorite coffee shop.
Instead of a cubicle, I have a desk overlooking the pool in our back yard. At some point most days, I go out and swim for a while. Walking trails surround our house, and I walk every day for an hour or so.
I travel a lot, for business and for pleasure. My family often travels with me. My personal goal is to spend some time on every continent before I’m done.
My grandchildren like to have “Gummy dates” with me (the name bestowed upon me by my oldest granddaughter). I take them out one at a time, and since four of them are homeschoolers, we usually do that during the day.
Well, you can see the theme here. It’s freedom. But in order to enjoy personal freedom, you need an independent income.
I absolutely love the fact that I make a living teaching people how to live this kind of life. Since I initiated my Internet Business Incubator 10-Week Personal Mentoring Program, I’ve had a blast working with a wide variety of students. Some of them were just starting out – perhaps without even an idea for a business – while others were fairly well established, and interested in maximizing their income.
You can join this mentoring program at a surprisingly low price, particularly in light of the one-on-one support you’ll receive from me directly:
www.YourInternetCashMachine.com/mentor.htm
Would you like to enjoy this level of personal freedom? Would you like to generate the income to support it through an Internet business of your own?
If so, I’d love to help you do that.
www.YourInternetCashMachine.com/mentor.htm
Topics: See All Posts Here | No Comments »